RugbyU: Marconnet misses out on World Cup

DVBP099 4 S 0521 IRL /AFP-VH00
RugbyU-WC2011-FRA lead-SQUAD
RugbyU: Marconnet misses out on World Cup
by Baptiste Pace
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DUBLIN, Aug 21, 2011 (AFP) - Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir will skipper France's 30-strong World Cup squad to travel to New Zealand for the September 9-October 23 tournament.
Coach Marc Lievremont unveiled his list in the Irish capital the day after watching his side complete their match preparations with a 26-22 win over Ireland.
Two players, props Sylvain Marconnet and Thomas Domingo, were ommitted from the 32-strong squad that has been preparing for the World Cup over the last month.
As expected there was no place also for fan favourite Sebastien Chabal who has been out of favour since the last Six Nations tournament.
Lievremont, who will be in charge of his World Cup campaign said that it had been a tough choice to leave behind Domingo and especially Marconnet a 35-year-old veteran with 84 caps with whom he played in the national side.
"I said from the start that for me our two best loose-head props are Barcella and Domingo and that I wanted to have one of them in the squad and that is the case for Fabien," he said.
Barcella was first choice in the position for France in 2009, but missed the 2010 Grand Slam campaign after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left foot. He has only just returned to action and Saturday was his first game for France in the past year.
Marconnet, France's most capped prop, said he was stunned by his omission.
"Already four years ago I didn't make it due to injury and I was dreaming of taking part this time, but sadly that dream has been shattered," he said.
"It's a real let down and I wasn't expecting it. I have almost certainly played my last game for France, but life goes on.
There were no other surprises in Lievremont's selection with winger Aurelien Rougerie having proved his fitness in the game against Ireland,
France will leave for New Zealand on August 29 and will open against Japan in North Harbour on September 10 before taking on Canada, New Zealand and Tonga
The France squad for the World Cup (September 9-October 23):-
Forwards (17): Fabien Barcella (Biarritz), Jean-Baptiste Poux (Toulouse), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Luc Ducalcon (Castres), William Servat (Toulouse), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Fran